Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
California Guitar Trio - 10 Christmas Songs [Aka: A Christmas Album] CD (album) cover

10 CHRISTMAS SONGS [AKA: A CHRISTMAS ALBUM]

California Guitar Trio

 

Crossover Prog

2.27 | 11 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

aapatsos
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
2 stars I had only heard of samples and scarce tracks from CGT before picking up this ''Christmas Album'', the fourth studio release of the band, on a local CD shop for just 2 euros (!). Based on what I have experienced from the band so far, this album follows a quite different approach. Ten Christmas Songs is actually what you are getting - nothing more and nothing less. As expected, the music is focused on a - solely - guitar interpretation of these famous Christmas tunes.

Nevertheless, the tracks are delivered with reasonable enthusiasm by the band, played with virtuosity while the double and triple guitars are ''filling'' the sound adequately. Soloing is apparent, but not abundant, just enough for the purpose of the album. To my ears, the band retains the ''magic of Christmas'' feeling and the melodies are performed relatively simply with a few balanced touches of improvisation. My personal favourites from this compilation of songs are the Carol of the bells (has been performed by Savatage brilliantly in the past), Greensleeves and God rest ye merry gentlemen.

Acoustic guitar is almost the exclusive instrument, with the successful addition of slide guitars and the ''required'' bells here and there. The mood of the album is generally melancholic, apart from a few exemptions (e.g. Jingle Bells). There is absolutely nothing wrong with this release and the performance of the musicians is at high standards. However, you might find yourself enjoying the album on one occasion, and getting bored on another. It is an album that makes a perfect listen if you are in the ''correct'' Christmas mood. There is no resemblance to progressive music whatsoever but this does not mean that a prog fan will not enjoy it. I have not regretted spending a couple of euros for this pleasant and somewhat nostalgic release.

aapatsos | 2/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.